But before Jia Kai asked anything, Mo Han reached into the folds of his travel cloak and drew out three objects, placing them carefully on a flat rock between them.

The morning sun caught the first item—a ring of pure gold, gleaming with soft luster. Around its circumference, delicate spirit marks swirled like flowing rivers, each one pulsing faintly as though alive.

Jia Kai's breath caught. "A… storage spirit ring?"

She crouched down, her fingers trembling slightly as she picked it up. The smooth metal was cool against her skin, yet the spirit marks seemed to hum faintly at her touch. Her lips curved into a bright smile despite herself.

"I never expected Soya Khan would be so generous," she murmured, turning the ring over in her palm. "These are rare for small sects. A storage ring can hold more than a dozen cubic meters of goods, preserved without decay. To use it—"

She paused, slipping it onto her finger. Closing her eyes, she let her aura flow into the ring. A faint click echoed in her mind, and an image bloomed in her consciousness—an empty, misty space waiting to be filled.

"You simply will it, and anything you touch can be stored or withdrawn instantly," she explained, her tone holding the subtle awe of someone who knew the item's value. "It's not just for convenience. In battle, a ring like this can mean the difference between life and death—pulling out weapons, talismans, or pills without wasting time."

Mo Han only gave a slight nod. "Very well. Let me try."

Jia Kai passed the ring with a bit of envious look.

Her attention moved to the second object—a slim, leather-bound manual. The cover was old but well-maintained, sealed with a faint energy thread to prevent casual reading.

As soon as she touched it, the faint fragrance of rare ink and herbs drifted up. Her brows furrowed as she traced the ancient characters on the front. "This… is a dual cultivation manual."

Her voice lowered, as though the words carried weight. "Not the common kind used for shallow pleasure or minor energy exchange… this one is refined. The energy patterns here suggest a method for merging Yin and Yang essence at a high level, potentially increasing cultivation speed severalfold if practiced with precision and mutual trust."

She looked up at Mo Han, a strange mixture of curiosity and guardedness in her expression. "She really gave you the suitable gift. This manual is a great help for you. But only if you follow the path of Dual cultivation."

Mo Han's eyes half-lidded, his expression unreadable. "Let's think about it later."

Jia Kai studied him for a moment longer before setting the manual down carefully.

The third item was a small jade vial, translucent and cool to the touch, with a faint red liquid swirling lazily inside. Even without opening it, the air around it carried a subtle heat, like standing near a forge.

"This," Jia Kai said, tilting it slightly in the light, "is Blood Essence from a high-grade fire-attribute beast. Refined, concentrated, and ready to be used for tempering the body or fueling certain forbidden techniques. Dangerous… but invaluable to the right cultivator."

Her fingers lingered on the vial for a moment before she placed it back on the stone.

The two sat in silence for a few breaths, the wind whispering between the rocks. Far away, the desert horizon shimmered faintly as the sun climbed higher.

Finally, Jia Kai spoke, her voice softer now. "I know that the Khan family lady gave you the best things… Just remember, generosity in our world often comes with hooks you can't see until it's too late."

Mo Han gave a faint smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry. I know how this world works. Hooks can pull… but they can also be used to reel someone else in."

Fatty Lambu snorted loudly in his sleep, muttering something about roast duck before rolling over.

"Wake up, Lambu… The enemy is here to kill you." Mo Han shouted loudly.

"Ahhuuu…" Fatty jolted up with a shocked face.

-

Meanwhile…

The Dong family search party had been following the faint trail of blood since midnight, every step heavier than the last. The deeper they ventured, the more oppressive the air became, as if some unseen beast lurked within the folds of the cliffs.

"Patriarch… look."

The voice of a servant cracked, trembling as his fire stick revealed a patch of blackened earth ahead.

Dong Xian stepped forward, leaning heavily on his staff, his granddaughter Lianhua following close behind. The moment the light reached the scorched ground, the old man's eyes narrowed.

Burnt remains lay scattered within the ash — bones twisted unnaturally, flesh long burned away. A faint, acrid stench still lingered in the cold air.

A veteran warrior among the searchers crouched beside the remains, his hands trembling as he brushed away soot. "These teeth… the shape… it's unmistakable. One belongs to Young Master Dong Ming… and the other… Shadow Fang."

Lianhua gasped, her knees nearly buckling. "No… grandfather, this can't…"

But Dong Xian was silent. His wrinkled hand reached out and closed around a small, warped token lying among the ashes — the personal insignia of the Shadow Fang. The old man's breath trembled, and for a moment, his aged frame swayed.

"This…" His voice was low, almost broken, "…is not the work of beasts. This… is murder."

The servants exchanged uneasy glances, none daring to speak. The only sound was the crackling of burning wood from their torches.

The old man's eyes suddenly blazed with fury. "Send word to every branch of the Dong-family in Jade City! Mo Han… that Han family dog… will not leave this realm alive!"

"Yes, Patriarch!" The order was carried-away by riders, vanishing into the darkness.

Lianhua knelt beside the ashes, tears sliding down her cheeks. "Elder Brother-Ming… who could do this so ruthlessly?"

Dong Xian closed his eyes briefly, but when he opened them, there was only steel. "Not who. We already know who." His voice was cold enough to freeze blood. "That brat Mo Han thought he could slip away quietly after today's auction. Instead… he has signed his death warrant."